Solid-State Electrolytes with ALD

Our focus so far has been on developing new chemistry to create new materials and structures. We are unique in fabricating complex oxide structures, compounds with alkali metals, and materials where organic molecules are part of the structure (MOF materials). Our targets include new materials for electronics, batteries, sensors, porous membranes, solar energy harvesting, bioactive surfaces, and much more.

As a master's student, you can choose your focus based on your background and interests. You may concentrate on synthesis, characterization and application, or a combination of all. Do you enjoy wet chemistry at the lab bench? Are you interested in studying crystal structures with advanced X-ray equipment? Curious about programming or applying the materials in practical uses?

A master's thesis often involves substantial lab work including synthesis and characterization. We help integrate you into a group environment where everyone supports one another. The goal is for you to become independent, daring to attempt and learn from mistakes in a safe setting, and develop your own thinking. A master's thesis culminates in a written dissertation. We, as supervisors, provide close and prompt support, and we urge you to start writing your thesis early on.

We have compiled a selection of potential master's thesis topics below, all with thin films as a common component in one form or another. Most projects can vary in focus between fabrication and characterization based on the interests of you, the master's student.

Solid-State Electrolytes with ALD (Ola Nilsen, Alexey Koposov)

Next-generation batteries will rely on solid-state electrolytes, but there is currently no compound with sufficiently good properties. A master's thesis in this field will contribute to developing entirely new methods for these materials. We have substantial experience in fabricating electrolytes based on phosphates and organic-inorganic hybrid materials. The specific area you will focus on will be determined when you begin. The work will include exploring the growth of thin films of these electrolytes using ALD with various techniques (ellipsometry, in situ QCM, and more), physical characterization of surfaces and the deposited films (XRD, XRR, XRF, and more), integrating solid-state electrolytes in-cells, and characterizing the electrochemical properties of such cells, with and without solid-state electrolytes (galvanostatic, cyclic voltammetry, and more), as well as characterizing the ionic conductivity of the electrolyte (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, also in situ). Depending on your focus and abilities, you will naturally delve deeper into one or two of the techniques, while utilizing all.

Illustration: Growth of Electrolytes on Large Surfaces with ALD